Prior to the release of the album, the girls, hyped up on tour nation-wide, released the single "Lemonade". I was madly in love with this track from day one. This song really brought back that RnB flavor that was missing from a large portion of their second album, and really set up the scene for a great return. I could have done without the rap interlude as it really had nothing to do with the track (and was just a rapper dropping names for 30 seconds), but together as a unit it was great.
But it was a bait and switch.
The rest of the album is much more pop oriented. Now I'm not saying that is a bad thing, but why put out a single that is more RnB only to have an entire pop track? Anyway, the real single they should have chosen (and awkwardly kind of had now that they aren't even a group any more) is "Rhythm of Love". This is the opening track and it really sets the mood for a great album. The beat is quick, the harmonies are tight, and the lyrics are fun and light. This song had the makings to be a wonderful single and video -- but the video we got was lacking... because they broke up.
All of the critics have been praising "All In A Day's Work" to no end. I honestly don't see the widespread appeal. I love the song, but I don't see it as a stand out, especially going up against the second half of the album. Another song, "Rage" really feels a bit to juvenile to be a DK song. It feels like it was written for Fifth Harmony, a girl group focused on a younger audience, and was picked up last minute by the trio.
Danity Kane took a risk in the middle of the album by making two songs that are actually one, depending on how you look at it. The two songs have distinct identities, but when you listen form one to the other, the ending of "Tell Me" and the beginning of "Two Sides" are indistinguishable. I really find this idea to be very interesting, and it gives the album a good flow. The only thing I could see being an issue with this would be listening to the two songs separately. It takes away some of the strength of the songs and makes them feel a bit more out of place.
DK3 really picks up at the end. "Secret Lover", "Roulette", and "Bye Baby" are some of the best pop tracks I have heard in a long time. Although I find it a bit ironic that "Bye Baby" may be the last song Danity Kane ever releases, but I feel like this would have definitely been a single. "Secret Lover" is vocally the strongest track, and has the most provocative lyrics, harkening back to the golden days of DK when they were on top of the world with "Damaged".
This is the album we have been waiting all these years for. This album has been everything a Danity Kane fan could ever hope and dream for. It has all the elements that the group became known for (minus two people) and it really retains the vibe and original feeling that captured the hearts of so many listeners back in the day. It is really disheartening that we will most likely never get to see these songs performed live, or have a supporting tour and continuing single release. I would have loved to hear "Bye Baby" or "Rhythm of Love" on the radio, but it looks like that may never be.
Aubrey and Shannon have been kind enough to work out a deal to grant us this album that was so close to being when they broke up. I think all the DK fans will be eternally gratful to have one of our generation's greatest works of pop music. Maybe I'm biased or maybe I have my nostalgia goggles on, but looking around, it seems that everyone else does too.
Check out the album for yourselves on iTunes. Maybe we can convince them that this thing needs a tour.
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